The Velvet Underground to release The Complete Matrix Tapes

The Velvet Underground – The Complete Matrix Tapes, is a four-CD, 42-track box due for release on November 20 by Polydor/Universal Music Catalogue(UMC).

The material was recorded on November 26 and 27, 1969 at The Matrix club in North Beach, San Francisco, during the band’s lengthy residency at the club.

The band features Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule.

Some versions of these performances were first issued in 1974 by Mercury Records as part of a double LP, 1969: The Velvet Underground Live, others appeared on The Quine Tapes – cassette recordings made by future Lou Reed guitarist, Bob Quine – while 18 tracks featured on the Super Deluxe Edition of the Velvets’ third album, released last year.

The Complete Matrix Tapes features 42 recordings that have been mixed down directly from the original in-house multi-tracks, including nine previously unreleased performances, marking the first time all the available tapes will be released commercially.

Set One includes previously unreleased versions of “Some Kinda Love” and “Sweet Jane”, while Set Two’s rarities include performances of “There She Goes Again”, “After Hours” and “We’re Gonna Have a Real Good Time Together”.

Rare live takes of “Venus in Furs” (one on Set One, the other Set Two) and Set One’s “The Black Angel’s Death Song” are also notable for their inclusion here.